Sportcare set-top-box monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A method for sportcare monitoring of a person is provided. The method including: operatively connecting a set-top-box ( 102 ) to at least one of a television display ( 104 ), a speaker ( 106 ), a first network ( 110 ), a remote station ( 124 ), and one or more wireless sensors ( 108 ); measuring one or more vital signs of the person with the one or more wireless sensors ( 108 ); wirelessly transmitting the one or more vital signs from the one or more wireless sensors ( 108 ) to the set-top-box ( 102 ); operatively connecting the remote station ( 124 ) to the set-top-box ( 102 ) through the first network ( 110 ); and transmitting the one or more vital signs from the set-top-box ( 102 ) to the remote station ( 124 ) via the first network ( 110 ).

The present invention relates generally to sportcare monitoring, andmore particularly, to a personal system for monitoring sportcare througha set-top-box. Some people, such as a novice require supervision whileexercising.

Typically, a sportcare professional, such as a personal trainer,monitors the person's progress in a gym or health club and offersuggestions, or advice for improvement.

However, such monitoring by a sportcare professional is very expensive.Furthermore, in some situations, particularly for the elderly, medicalsupervision is necessary while exercising.

There are systems known in the art that utilize a computer, such as apersonal computer for monitoring the sportcare of an exercising person.However, such systems are not very useful because the computer is notalways on, is not always located in a convenient place in the person'shome, and requires a relatively complicated input through various inputdevices such as a keyboard or mouse.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide asportcare monitoring system that overcomes the disadvantages associatedwith the prior art sportcare monitoring systems.

Accordingly, a system for sportcare monitoring of a person is provided.The system comprising: a set-top-box operatively connected to at leastone of a television display and speaker, the set-top-box being furtheroperatively connected to a first network;

one or more wireless sensors for measuring one or more vital signs ofthe person and transmitting the same to the set-top-box, the one or morewireless sensors being wirelessly connected to the set-top-box. Thefirst network can be the Internet. The system can further comprisecommunication means for operatively connecting a remote station to theset-top-box through the first network, wherein the one or more vitalsigns are transmitted from the set-top-box to the remote station via thefirst network. The remote station can be a location of a health club.The system can further comprise at least one sports equipmentoperatively connected to the set-top-box via the remote station fortransmitting performance characteristics from the at least one sportsequipment to the set-top-box. The set-top-box can further have a memoryfor storing the transmitted performance characteristics. Thecommunication means can further transmit the performance characteristicsto the remote station through the first network. The system can furthercomprise a first video camera operatively connected to the set-top-boxfor transmitting a video signal of the person to the remote station. Thesystem can also further comprise a second video camera operativelyconnected to the remote station for transmitting a video signal of oneor more individuals at the remote station to the set-top-box for displayon the television display.

The set-top-box can have means for contacting a medical professionalthrough a second network. The second network can be a telephone network.

Also provided is a method for sportcare monitoring of a person. Themethod comprising: operatively connecting a set-top-box to at least oneof a television display, a speaker, a first network, a remote station,and one or more wireless sensors; measuring one or more vital signs ofthe person with the one or more wireless sensors; wirelesslytransmitting the one or more vital signs from the one or more wirelesssensors to the set-top-box; operatively connecting the remote station tothe set-top-box through the first network; and transmitting the one ormore vital signs from the set-top-box to the remote station via thefirst network.

The method can further comprise: operatively connecting at least onesports equipment to the set-top-box via the remote station; andtransmitting performance characteristics from the at least one sportsequipment to the set-top-box. In which case the method can furthercomprise storing the transmitted performance characteristics in a memoryoperatively connected to the set-top-box. The method can also furthercomprise transmitting the performance characteristics to the remotestation through the first network.

The method can further comprise contacting a medical professionalthrough a second network from the set-top-box.

The method can further comprise transmitting a video signal of theperson to the remote station from a first video camera operativelyconnected to the set-top-box. In which case, the method can furthercomprise transmitting a video signal of one or more individuals at theremote station from a second video camera operatively connected to theremote station to the set-top-box for display on the television display.

The method can further comprise coaching the person from the remotestation on at least one of the television display and speaker based onthe transmitted at least one vital signs.

Where the set-top-box is further connected to a sports equipment, themethod can further comprise coaching the person from the remote stationon at least one of the television display and speaker based on thetransmitted performance characteristics.

The method can further comprise displaying at least one of a performanceof another exercising person or a performance characteristic of theanother person on the television display such that the person cancompete with the performance of the another person.

The method can further comprise displaying a performance characteristicof the person on the television display.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus andmethods of the present invention will become better understood withregard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanyingdrawings where:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a systemfor sportcare monitoring.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic illustration of a set-top-box for usewith the system of FIG. 1.

Referring no to FIG. 1, there is shown a system for sportcare monitoringof a person, the system being generally referred to by reference numeral100. The system 100 includes a set-tip-box 102 operatively connected toat least one of a television display 104 and a speaker 106. The system100 preferably includes both the television display 104 and speaker(s)106. Furthermore, the speaker(s) 106 can be integral with the televisiondisplay 104 or separate therefrom, such as a surround sound/home theatersystem. The set-top-box 102, besides the functions described below canalso be used for other functions associated with a television, such as acable tuner or personal video recorder (PVR).

The system also includes one or more wireless sensors 108 for measuringvital signs of the person and wirelessly transmitting the same to theset-top-box 102. The one or more wireless sensors are wirelesslyconnected to the set-top-box 102. The one or more vital signs can bepulse, blood pressure, and the like. The wireless sensors 108 cancommunicate with the set-top-box 102 through any wireless medium, suchas RF or infrared, and by any wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth,RFID, or Zigbee. The wireless sensors 108 can be lightweight andwearable by the person or heavy standalone equipment.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, the set-top-box 12 is illustrated thereinin more detail. The set-top-box 104 is further operatively connected toa network, such as the Internet 110 through a modem 112. However, otherremote networks are also possible, such as plain old telephony (POTS)114, cellular, and satellite. Although a single modem 112 is shown inFIG. 2, those skilled in the art will appreciate that more than onemodem may be used, each of which is dedicated to accessing a differentnetwork. For example, a cable modem may be used to access the Internet110 and a dial-up modem may be used to access the telephone network 114.The Internet 110 may be used to access a data host 122 or a remotestation 124, such as a healthcare professional, including a physicaltrainer, physical therapist, and the like. The telephone network 114 mayalso be used to access medical professionals, such as a doctor or nurseand may further be used to contact emergency services 126, such as aparamedic or ambulance service.

The set-top-box 102 also includes a storage device 116, such as a harddrive for storing program instructions for carrying out the methods ofthe present invention as well as other functions of the set-top-box 102.The storage device 116 can also be used to store video content and/or auser profile. Although the storage device 116 is shown as a singledevice, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be multiplestorage devices, each dedicated to storing different types of data. Theset-top-box 102 further includes a transmitter/receiver, shownschematically by antenna 118. The antenna 118 receives the wirelesssignals from the wireless sensors 108 which are processed, formatted,and/or transformed, if necessary, into a useful signal by a processor120. The processor 120 also controls the modem 112, storage device 116,television display 104, and speaker 106 as is known in the art. Theantenna 118 may be dedicated for use with the wireless sensors 108 ormay be used in combination with other functions of the set-top-box 102,such as to receive wireless signals from a remote control (not shown)for use with the set-top-box 102. The remote control can be used tocontrol the set-top-box 102 and may also be used to input informationinto the set-top-box 102 through an appropriate user interface as isknown in the art.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the system 100 can further include sportsequipment 128, such as a bicycle, stepping machine, rowing machine, ortreadmill. The sports equipment 128 can be operatively connected (wiredor wirelessly) to the set-top-box 102 for transmitting performancecharacteristics from the sports equipment 128 to the set-top-box 102.The performance characteristics can be any characteristic of the sportsequipment that is an indicator of the performance of the person on theequipment. Where the sports equipment 128 is a bicycle, the performancecharacteristics may be the RPM of the pedals, the change in RPM per unittime, the duration of any particular period of activity, and the like.The performance characteristics can be stored at the memory 116 in theset-top-box 102 and/or transmitted to the remote station 124 via thenetwork 110.

The system 100 may also be supplied with one or more video cameras 130positioned at the location of the set-top-box 102 and operativelyconnected to the processor 120. The camera 130 is useful in capturingimage or video of the person engaging in the physical activity and beingmonitored. The camera 130 may be supplied in more than one room of theperson's home and may have pan-tilt-zoom capabilities in order to followthe person as he/she moves about the room to other exercises or on othersports equipment 128. The camera 130 may be under the control of arecognition system that can recognize and track the person and controlthe pan-tilt-zoom motors of the camera accordingly to maintain theperson in the field of view of the camera 130. Such recognition systemsare well known in the art. The system 100 may also have one or morecameras 132 at the remote station for capturing image or video of anindividual, such as a personal trainer, at the remote station. Thecamera 132 at the remote station 124 may have the pan-tilt-zoom andrecognition capabilities as previously described above with regard tocamera 130.

A method for sportcare monitoring of a person will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As discussed above, the set-top-box 102 isoperatively connected to a network, such as the Internet 110, and aremote station 124, such as a sportcare professional, via the modem 112.The set-top-box 102 is also operatively connected to at least one of,and preferably both of, the television display 104 and speaker 106 viathe processor 120. The set-top-box 102 is further wirelessly connectedto the sensors 108 via the antenna 118 and processor 120. The sensor(s)108 detect at least one vital sign of the person and transmits a signalcorresponding to the same to the set-top-box 102. The detected vitalsign(s) are transmitted from the set-top-box 102 to the remote station124 via the network 110 where they can be accessed by individuals at theremote station 124, such as a physical trainer or physical therapist.The one or more vital signs can be accessed in real-time, thus,permitting quick and timely decisions, suggestions, advice, etc. to bemade in the best interests of the person being monitored. The sportcareprofessional would typically access the vital signs information on adisplay screen. The display screen is preferably part of a computer (notshown) that is operatively connected to the network 110. A history ofthe person's vital signs can be stored at the storage device 116 andaccessed (e.g., printed) by a sportcare professional to determine theperson's progress or to alert a medical professional if there is anabnormality in the vital signs. The sportcare professional at the remotestation 124 can instruct the set-top-box 102 to contact a medicalprofessional, such as emergency services 126, through another network,such as through the telephone network 114 if there is an abnormality inthe vital signs or a dangerous situation is detected while videoconferencing with the person (as discussed below). Thus, if thesportcare professional is concerned that a dangerous situation isimminent, he or she may instruct the set-top-box 102 to contact thepolice, a paramedic, or an ambulance. The contact information for theemergency services can be previously stored in the storage device 116through an appropriate user interface. The person can also bring thehistory of their vital signs (while exercising) with them when theyvisit their doctor or health club.

The system 100 may also be used to provide a videoconference between anindividual at the remote station (e.g., a physical therapist or trainer)and the person being monitored using the cameras 130, 132. Therefore, avideo signal of the person from camera 130 can be transmitted from theset-top-box 102 to the remote station via the network 110 and displayedat a display device (not shown) at the remote station 124. Similarly, avideo signal of the sportcare professional from camera 132 can betransmitted from the remote station 110 to the set-top-box 102 anddisplayed on the television display 104. In this manner, the sportcareprofessional and the person being monitored can conduct avideoconference and exchange comments, suggestions, advice, and/orquestions.

The set-top-box 102 can be provided with means for generating, on thetelevision display 104 and/or on the speakers 106, an artificial coachto provide advice and encourage the person training. The detected vitalsigns can also be displayed on the television screen 104 along with theartificial coach. The set-top-box 102 can also generate performancecurves based on the performance characteristics and display the same onthe television display 104.

The person can also be coached directly from a sportcare professionalfrom the remote station 124 and his or her likeness displayed on thetelevision display 104 and/or his or her voice reproduced on the speaker106. The coaching, whether by the artificial coach or sportcareprofessional can be based on the detected vital signs and/or performancecharacteristics which can also be displayed on the television display104.

The set-top-box 102 can also display a performance of another exercisingperson on the television display 104 (the other person would have asystem 100 similar to the system of the person) so that the person cancompete with the performance of the other person. Instead of or inaddition to the display of another person exercising, the set-top-box102 can display a performance characteristic of the other person on thetelevision display 104 and the person can compete directly with theperformance characteristics of the other person, possibly by alsodisplaying the performance characteristics of the person on the sametelevision display 104. The set-top-box can display a previousperformance characteristic of the person on the television display sothe person can try to improve on his or her own past performance.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system 100 of thepresent invention offers certain advantages over the computer-basedsportcare monitoring systems known in the art. Some of those advantagesinclude:

(a) The set-top-box 102 can remain on standby and can “wake-up” thetelevision display 104 or speakers 106 if the same are off; (b)Instructions and data can be input into the set-top-box 102 relativelyeasy, such as through a remote control and an appropriate userinterface;

(c) If the television display 104 is off, the system 100 can stilloperate through the speakers 106; and

(d) The television display is often located in a more convenientlocation for exercising than is a computer.

While there has been shown and described what is considered to bepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, beunderstood that various modifications and changes in form or detailcould readily be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited tothe exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed tocover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A system (100) for sportcare monitoring of a person, the systemcomprising: a set-top-box (102) operatively connected to at least one ofa television display (104) and speaker (106), the set-top-box (102)being further operatively connected to a first network (110); one ormore wireless sensors (108) for measuring one or more vital signs of theperson and transmitting the same to the set-top-box (102), the one ormore wireless sensors (108) being wirelessly connected to theset-top-box (102).
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprisingcommunication means (112) for operatively connecting a remote station(124) to the set-top-box (102) through the first network (110), whereinthe one or more vital signs are transmitted from the set-top-box (102)to the remote station (124) via the first network (110).
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first network is the Internet (110).
 4. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the remote station is a location of a healthclub (124).
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least onesports equipment (128) operatively connected to the set-top-box (102)via the remote station (124) for transmitting performancecharacteristics from the at least one sports equipment (128) to theset-top-box (102).
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the set-top-box(102) further having a memory (116) for storing the transmittedperformance characteristics.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein thecommunication means (112) further transmits the performancecharacteristics to the remote station (124) through the first network(110).
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the set-top-box (102) havingmeans (112) for contacting a medical professional through a secondnetwork (114).
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second network is atelephone network (114).
 10. The system of claim 2, further comprising afirst video camera (130) operatively connected to the set-top-box (102)for transmitting a video signal of the person to the remote station(124).
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a second videocamera (132) operatively connected to the remote station (124) fortransmitting a video signal of one or more individuals at the remotestation (124) to the set-top-box (102) for display on the televisiondisplay (104).
 12. A method for sportcare monitoring of a person, themethod comprising: operatively connecting a set-top-box (102) to atleast one of a television display (104), a speaker (106), a firstnetwork (110), a remote station (124), and one or more wireless sensors(108); measuring one or more vital signs of the person with the one ormore wireless sensors (108); wirelessly transmitting the one or morevital signs from the one or more wireless sensors (108) to theset-top-box (102); operatively connecting the remote station (124) tothe set-top-box (102) through the first network (110); and transmittingthe one or more vital signs from the set-top-box (102) to the remotestation (124) via the fire network (110).
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising: operatively connecting at least one sports equipment(128) to the set-top-box (102) via the remote station (124); andtransmitting performance characteristics from the at least one sportsequipment (128) to the set-top-box (102).
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising storing the transmitted performance characteristicsin a memory (116) operatively connected to the set-top-box (102). 15.The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting the performancecharacteristics to the remote station (124) through the first network(110).
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising contacting amedical professional through a second network (114) from the set-top-box(102).
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting avideo signal of the person to the remote station (124) from a firstvideo camera (130) operatively connected to the set-top-box (102). 18.The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting a video signalof one or more individuals at the remote station (124) from a secondvideo camera (132) operatively connected to the remote station (124) tothe set-top-box (102) for display on the television display (104). 19.The method of claim 12, further comprising coaching the person from theremote station (124) on at least one of the television display (104) andspeaker (106) based at least in part on the transmitted at least onevital signs.
 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising coaching theperson from the remote station (124) on at least one of the televisiondisplay (104) and speaker (106) based at least in part on thetransmitted performance characteristics.
 21. The method of claim 12,further comprising displaying at least one of a performance of anotherexercising person or a performance characteristic of the another personon the television display (104) such that the person can compete withthe performance of the another person.
 22. The method of claim 12,further comprising displaying a performance characteristic of the personon the television display (104).